CC 9 Lincoln Sudbury 8

When the schedule comes out at the start of the year, everyone looks to see when the LS game is. In this year’s highly anticipated match up, the 11th ranked Patriots outlasted the 6th ranked Warriors 9-8 in a game that saw every possession contested as if were the last play of the game.

CC jumped out to a 2 goal lead after 7 minutes before LS scored the next 3 in a four minute span to go up 1 mid-way through the first half. Becca Olsen then scored her first of four goals on the day to tie the game at 3 just 1 minute later. CC had the ball at the end of the half but missed a shot with under a minute to play and LS scored a quick goal for the 4-3 lead at halftime.

Coach Paul Morrison noted “LS was a big challenge for us and I thought the team responded strong in the first half, yet after the first twenty-five minutes we found ourselves down by a goal. At half time we talked about finishing our chances and I could see that the kids were confident they could adjust and compete harder."

CC opened the second half with a quick goal to knot it at 4 before LS went on a 3 goal run to open up what looked like an

insurmountable 7-4 lead with 16 minutes to play. CC then started a great comeback, contrasting the patient LS set offense with the fast break precision passing of the CC attack. CC got their next goal in only 9 seconds as Ali Barrett fed Jenna Carlton to make it 7-5. CC scored again on another fast break after an LS turnover, with Barrett threading a thirty yard pass to Madeline Leahy who scored to make it 7-6, causing LS to call time out. Hannah Dudley then won the draw and went straight to goal tying the game at 7 mid way through the second period. LS continued their skilled and patient offense testing CC s defense for long stretches including a 4 ½ minute possession that ultimately ended in an LS turnover and ground ball pick up by Leahy who started four quick CC passes leading to another Olsen goal putting CC up 8-7 with 8 minutes to play. LS quickly tied it at 8 before Olsen scored again to put CC up

9-8. The last 6 minutes were played at a high level of intensity as CC had to defend a LS possession lasting over 4 minutes without allowing the tying goal before their defense caused another turnover. CC was able to kill the last 2 minutes of the clock under intense LS defensive pressure. CC showed their composure and maturity at the end of the game as Becca Olsen smartly pulled away from a penalty shot at an open goal to deny LS the opportunity for a final possession.

Coach Morrison said "Despite the fact we fell three goals behind early in the second half we still played our best and most complete game of the season. The team reacted so well and made play after play, and never backed down. "I don't know when the last time CC beat LS in girls lacrosse was, but there where years where we felt like the race dog chasing the electric rabbit in futility around at the track. It's a nice feeling that this group can say we finally caught up, but we also know that this win is just one of the building blocks to put us in position to challenge for the league championship and to prepare for a successful playoff run.”